The dos and don'ts of Complex Random Patches.

The following two patches generate a similar random pattern. One way takes less time and effort to set up.

Brute Force Complexity

Let's take a quick look at: Example 06 Complexity Without Feedback

The instant the patch is loaded, you should see 16 Hot Bunny modules, 8 LFOs, 4 mixers, and one 8Vert module. While building absurd patches like this may be fun, a much more elegant solution will be explored in the next patch. For now, just watch the scope for a bit and remember the general motion of the random output.

Feedback Complexity

Now we will look at: Example 07 Complexity With Feedback

This patch only contains 4 modules and a scope. Take note of the output in the scope, and notice how it has many of the same features the previous patch had. So what exactly causes these two patches to output similar results?

First off, the two Hot Bunnies are modulating the rate parameter of the other Hot Bunny. In the previous patch, 8 Hot Bunny modules with fixed rate parameters were mixed together to get the different rates of random. The amount each source was mixed into the patch was controlled by 8 randomly modulated LFOs. In this patch, the first Hot Bunny modulates the LFO that controls its level in the mix. The first Hot Bunny is set to lower rates while the second Hot Bunny is set to higher rates. The relative mix of these two voltages is simply easier to understand in this patch.

• So what is the take away?
  • Always, always, always use feedback to generate complexity in a faster manner.

Before I forget, using one of the unused random sources on a Hot Bunny to modulate its own rate parameter is very highly recommended!